Florida:
Key West and
Lower Keys, Family Vacation Ideas.
 A
vacation in the Florida Keys can be almost magical. The Overseas Highway (a.k.a.
U.S. Route 1) is an extraordinary rolling field trip. Distance is measured by
mile markers, the closer to Key West the smaller the number. Cross the
Seven-mile Bridge and you will be in the Lower Keys. From Big Pine and Grassy
Key all the way to Key West there are dozens of opportunities for mini
adventures and plenty of stuff for building one-of-a-kind memories.
Count
down to the end.
It’s not the beaches that make the Keys terrific, although there are a few. It
is the carefree island attitude and the quirky sometimes just plain odd mix of
residents and visitors. In the Keys—it really is no shoes, no problem. Maybe the
most fun for school aged kids is the act of reading the map, watching the mile
markers decrease in number and finally getting to the end of the road.
Talk
to the dolphins.
The Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key is home to a family of Atlantic
bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. Narrated sessions occur throughout
the day and provide oodles of information about dolphin behavior, training, and
habits. The facility offers
“Hands-on-Training” sessions that include a private course with up-close
interaction. Participants have access to the Fish House where the dolphins'
meals are prepared, get training first-hand and a chance to practice
communicating with the dolphins. Discovery: There is also the option to
go behind the scenes for a close-up look at California sea lions. (The
Dolphin Research Center. Mile Marker 59, Grassy Key. 58901 Overseas Highway
33050-6019. 1(305) 289-1121 or
www.dolphins.org)
Get
wet in a park. Not
a walk in the park, Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary is approximately
five nautical miles south of Big Pine Key and all underwater. Dramatic coral
formations, abundance of fish, and the wreck of the H.M.S. Looe, provide
snorkelers and divers days of discoveries. The sanctuary is marked by more than
three dozen buoys enabling visitors to enjoy a variety of undersea life from
dramatic elkhorn coral and massive star coral to schools of blue-striped grunts
to toothy green moray eels. (Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. 1(305)-292-0311
or
www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov)
Spot
tiny deer.
 Big
Pine Key is the only place on earth to see the petit (large dog size) key deer
in the wild. The National Key Deer Refuge, more than 8,000 acres in
total, is the official protected area for the little guys. Not all of them
remain within the boundaries but prefer to wander outside the refuge and may be
seen on adjacent keys. Similar to the Virginia whitetail, this species is on the
endangered list. Discovery: To officially see them take the 7/10-mile
self-guided nature that trail begins off Key Deer Blvd, north of the Blue Hole,
and winds through the refuge area; dawn and dusk are best for viewing the deer.
The refuge open daily from sunrise to sunset and is free to the public. (The
National Key Deer Refuge, Big Pine Key Visitor Center. 1(305) 872-0774 or
http://nationalkeydeer.fws.gov/)
Ride
the Conch Train.
It’s obvious and easy and in the must-do category for families. The
open air train, really a trolley, provides an entertaining effortless way to see
Key West with the kids – no sweat involved.
The stories, legends and lore make interesting conversations over lunch. Who
can resist a good pirate story or just the facts about hundreds of cats? (Conch
Tour Train 201 Front Street, Key West. 1(305) 294-5161.) Need to know:
Historic Tours of
America has discounted tickets.
Go to
www.historictours.com
Get
on and off the trolley.
Also a blast, the Old Town Trolley swings around town providing a running dialog
about the best and sometimes the worst of the city. Making nine stops along the
tour route it is easy to get on and off as often as you wish. Hear about Henry
Flagler and learn where to get the best key lime pie. (Old Town Trolley Tours,
Mallory Square Key West, 33040. 1(305) 296-6688.) Need to know:
Historic Tours of
America has discounted tickets. Go to
www.historictours.com
Whisper to a butterfly.
For a quieting experience (Yes, it is possible with kids.)
stroll among the flowers, trees and cascading
waterfalls counting free-flying butterflies and tropical birds. Bonus points:
The learning center provides plenty of interesting facts about the world of
butterflies. Get
a rare close up view of a variety of live caterpillars feeding and developing on
their host plants.
There is a short film to pull it all together. (Key
West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory 1316 Duval Street Key West, Florida 33040. 1(305)
296-2988, 1-800-839-4647 or
www.keywestbutterfly.com)
Pet a
shark. Small and
kid friendly, Key West Aquarium is the place to go for squeals. See in real life
the fish depicted on the fish cards used on snorkeling excursions. Fishy
residents include parrot fish, grouper, moray eels, barracuda, tropical fish and
tarpon. The touch tanks provide tactile encounters not easily forgotten. Who can
resist touching a live shark? Bonus points: Don’t miss the daily shark
and turtle feedings. (Key West Aquarium 201 Front Street, Key West, 33040.
1(305) 296-2051 or
www.keywestaquarium.com)
Make a turtle stop.
Located in Land’s End Marina,
the
Turtle Kraals Museum
is home to sea turtles and their keepers who help visitors understand more about
the ongoing struggle between sea turtles and humans. The small museum and refuge
center offers several mini lessons for kids. This is one location where being
there makes all of the difference. The staff members of the museum are is often
rehabilitating a sea turtle on site. Look in the tank by the entrance. (Turtle
Kraals Museum, 200 Margaret Street, Key West 33040. 1(305)
294-0209)
Set
sail with history.
 Each
day the flagship of the city of Key West, the schooner Western Union,
sails the Atlantic Ocean near Key West providing passengers with the delights of
the sea and a living history experience in the process. The storytelling
includes the adventures of the sunken ships, pirates, and early residents.
Passengers may raise the sails, heave lines and take the helm. Bonus points:
Music on board is a seafaring tradition so there's a musician wandering the deck
playing old sea shanties. For night owls and teens, stargazing sails are also an
option. Need to know: From time to time kids sail free. The offer will
be at the website. (Schooner Western Union departs from Schooner Wharf
202 William Street Key West 33040. 1(305) 292-1766 or
www.schoonerwesternunion.com)
Is it
a pirate’s life for thee?
Key West is a small island community and everything and almost everyone is
connected to the past. Everyone has at least one pirate story to tell but at
Pirate Soul on Front Street the real stuff is on display. The museum encourages
interaction and with just a little imagination makes time-travel back to 1690
easy. Hallways and alleyways feature the unique collection of pirate artifacts
includes Captain Kidd’s last journal, Blackbeard’s weapons and an authentic
pirate treasure chest. Bonus Points: Take an interactive journey complete
with pirates and loot. (Pirate Soul
524 Front Street, Key West, 33040. 1(305) 292-1133 or
www.piratesoul.com)
Discover a wreck.
Imagine Key West just before the American Civil War. That is exactly where the
Shipwreck HISTOREUM® Museum begins for visitors. Combining actors, films and
the actual artifacts from the 1985 rediscovery of the wrecked vessel Isaac
Allerton, time travel is easy. Hear from master wrecker Asa Tift and his
wrecking crew the story of how this unusual industry provided livelihoods of the
early pioneers of Key West. Bonus points: Seeing is believing, and
visitors are invited to climb the 65' lookout tower and if need be, alarm Mr.
Tift of any wrecks on the reef. (Key West Shipwreck HISTOREUM® Museum, 1
Whitehead Street - Key West, 33040. 1(305) 292-8990 or
www.shipwreckhistoreum.com)
Climb
to the top. The
Key West Lighthouse, predates the city that later grew up around it. Today, a
climb to the top of its 80 steps rewards the visitor with a great view of the
nearby Ernest Hemingway House and the rest of the downtown area. Visitors are
also welcome in the museum, housed in the restored keeper’s dwelling.
(The Key West Lighthouse. 938 Whitehead Street, Key
West, 33040. www.kwahs.com/lighthouse.htm)
Taste
the best key lime pie.
Tart and scrumptious best describes the real thing – key lime pie. Watch the
special pies being made at the Blond Giraffe Key Lime Factory Located in the
Historic Key West Coca-Cola Bottling Plant. The Blonde Giraffe has won many
awards for excellence but it is important to see for your self. Luckily there is
more than one location. (Blond Giraffe Key Lime Factory 600 Front Street,
Building A and 107 Simonton Street, Key West, 33040. 1(305) 293-9296 or
www.blondegiraffe.com)
Embrace the sunset.
Each evening Mallory
Square, on the historic waterfront in Key West, is the location of a sunset
celebration. The seaport once a bustling commerce center with schooners, and
frigates, cigar makers and fishermen, remains linked to its history and
connected to the times. It’s the place for shopping, dinning, and tropical
entertainment. (Mallory Square. On the historic waterfront in Key West. www.Mallorysquare.com)
Look
for local ghosts.
Key West is loaded with legends and stories and so it makes senses that
discovering the ghost connection would be a fun way to spend an evening with
teens. Ghost Tours of Key West conducts lantern-led walks through the shadowy
streets of Old Town. In not more than a mile the tour route weaves a rich
mystery not so obvious in the light of day. Hear about haunted dwelling places
reported to be inhabited by the ghosts of the city’s earliest residents. Need
to know: Tours depart at 8 p.m. every night from the Crowne Plaza La Concha.
(Ghost Tours of Key West 430 Duval Street, Key
West, 33040. 1(305) 294-9255.)
More Florida
for families.
Florida:
Key Largo and the Upper Keys, Family Vacation Ideas ,
Pack up and head south from Miami along US #1 (a.k.a. The Overseas Highway).
Distance is measured by mile markers, the closer to Key West the smaller the
number. The “wows” and “cools” start as Homestead fades in the rear view mirror.
From Key Largo and Tavenier to Islamorada and Marathon the views are awesome
and the opportunities for mini adventures endless.
Florida: Stuart, South Treasure Coast Family Adventures. What
could be better, a rich menu of interesting activities and the luxury of time to
enjoy them with the kids. The area includes glorious Atlantic blue beaches
dotted with tidal pools, miles of shaded trails for hiking or biking, quiet
places to regroup and best of all the luxury of time, the real treasure in
today’s fast-paced world.
Florida: Sebastian, Making a Turtle Quest. During the summer
months sea turtles return to the beach of their birth to deposit eggs and
complete the circle of life. For a lucky few, there is the possibility of seeing
firsthand the ancient nesting ritual of a sea turtle. Our night quest was
awesome.
Text provided by
Travel Communications, Inc. Content updated 12/2005. Images provided by Visit
Florida, Key deer by T. L. Nelson and schooner image provided by Historic Tours of
America.
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